More like 'Municipal Road Crew'

100 records – page 1 of 5.

Clearing Douglas Road

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription560
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[190-?] (date of original), copied 1977
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.2 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of men in work clothes clearing Doulgas Road. A group of men to the right side of the photograph have shovels in their hands and are clearing rocks from the road. There is a small girl in a blouse and skirt standing beside two horses pulling a cart. Behind her is a group of men in wor…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.2 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of men in work clothes clearing Doulgas Road. A group of men to the right side of the photograph have shovels in their hands and are clearing rocks from the road. There is a small girl in a blouse and skirt standing beside two horses pulling a cart. Behind her is a group of men in work clothes as well. There is fenced land to the right of the photograph, and electric power poles and trees line both sides of the road. The accession register and inscription on the photograph identify this as Douglas Road (later renamed in part Canada Way). An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Working on Douglas Road on hill above Burnaby Lake. No Date."
Subjects
Transportation - Horses
Construction Tools and Equipment
Construction - Road Construction
Geographic Access
Douglas Road
Canada Way
Accession Code
HV977.99.2
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[190-?] (date of original), copied 1977
Media Type
Photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-07-11
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon July 9, 1975 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory96
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1934-1935
Length
0:08:30
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Purdon's employment history. May Purdon also tells an anecdote about one of their sons.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Purdon's employment history. May Purdon also tells an anecdote about one of their sons.
Date Range
1934-1935
Length
0:08:30
Subjects
Occupations - Civic Workers
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
July 9, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon by SFU graduate student Bettina Bradbury July 9, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression and Canadian politics. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
May Eliza was born in London, England in 1907. She came out to Regina with her family when she was eleven. Charles A. Purdon was born February 28, 1904 in London, England. He came to Canada in 1925 from China where he had been working as an accountant for the previous three years. Charles first came to Vancouver and joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) but within a week he was sent to Regina. This is where he met May. May and Charles got married in 1926 and Charles began working as an accountant for the Saskatchewan Wheat Growers, then for the Canadian Wool Growers before being laid off. In October of 1930, Charles and May left Regina for Vancouver Island. Charles drove himself out and May rode the train with her children; twin boys and a daughter, only one year apart. They settled at May’s parent’s second house in Coombs. The Purdons arrived in Burnaby in December of 1932 and rented a house on Edmonds Street. Charles was unable to do road work and instead found work through the Liberal Party and also with the Municipal engineers indoors on a number of projects. In 1938 the Purdons were able to get into a reverted house built by Ernie Winch at Maple Avenue (then Jubilee) and Nelson Avenue that had nine bedrooms. They paid ten dollars a month to the municipality for use of this property. May Eliza Purdon died April 6, 1983 at the age of seventy-six.
Total Length
1:40:03
Interviewee Name
Purdon, Charles A.
Purdon, May Eliza
Interviewer Bio
Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Audio Tracks

Track six of interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon

Less detail

Interview with Charles B. Brown May 21, 1975 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory27
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1909-1938
Length
00:07:15
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's early days working at Burnaby's Municipal Hall, first as an office boy.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's early days working at Burnaby's Municipal Hall, first as an office boy.
Date Range
1909-1938
Photo Info
Charles Boyer Brown, by photographer Nicholas Rossmo [1950]. Item no. 307-008
Length
00:07:15
Subjects
Occupations - Civic Workers
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
May 21, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with Charles B. Brown by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury May 21, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, the Commissioner and municipal politics in general. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Charles Boyer Brown was born on June 16, 1894 in the town of Ongar, Essex, England. He came to Canada as a young child with his parents Jean and Percy Brown. In 1903, the family settled in New Westminster and by 1911, Charles had joined the Burnaby municipal staff working as an office boy. The outbreak of World War One interrupted Charlie’s career as he immediately enlisted with the Royal Engineers and served from 1915 to 1918. While overseas he met and married Lillian Bernice Bryan and they returned to Canada together after the war and Charles resumed his position in municipal administration. For a short time, Charles was appointed as the Municipal Assessor, but in 1927 he became the Assistant Municipal Clerk. In 1933, Charles was made Municipal Clerk, a post he held until he retired in 1959. Charles has also been credited with playing a significant role in administering the city while it was under the rule of the provincial commission from 1932-1942. Recognized for his expertise in civic affairs, Charles was appointed by the provincial government to a committee formed to review and revise the Municipal Act. He was also a member of the BC Municipal Officers’ Association from its formation in 1936 and was made its chair in 1953. While these civic duties occupied much of his time, Charles still managed to participate as a volunteer on many sport and youth clubs in the city and served as the secretary for the Kingsway Rotary Club. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Burnaby, both paid and volunteer, Charles was presented with the Gold Key award in 1959, the same year he finally retired from municipal administration. During Charles’ lifetime, many changes took place in the Municipality that he loved. He saw Burnaby grow in population and progress and he could be proud of the significant part he played in that growth and development. Charles Brown died on August 11, 1981.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:58:01
Interviewee Name
Brown, Charles B. "Charlie"
Interview Location
Walker Avenue
Interviewer Bio
Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Charles B. Brown

Less detail

Interview with Charles B. Brown May 21, 1975 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory28
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1928-1938
Length
00:09:56
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's memories of municipal pay cuts endured during the Depression.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's memories of municipal pay cuts endured during the Depression.
Date Range
1928-1938
Photo Info
Charles Boyer Brown, by photographer Nicholas Rossmo [1950]. Item no. 307-008
Length
00:09:56
Subjects
Occupations - Civic Workers
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
May 21, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with Charles B. Brown by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury May 21, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, the Commissioner and municipal politics in general. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Charles Boyer Brown was born on June 16, 1894 in the town of Ongar, Essex, England. He came to Canada as a young child with his parents Jean and Percy Brown. In 1903, the family settled in New Westminster and by 1911, Charles had joined the Burnaby municipal staff working as an office boy. The outbreak of World War One interrupted Charlie’s career as he immediately enlisted with the Royal Engineers and served from 1915 to 1918. While overseas he met and married Lillian Bernice Bryan and they returned to Canada together after the war and Charles resumed his position in municipal administration. For a short time, Charles was appointed as the Municipal Assessor, but in 1927 he became the Assistant Municipal Clerk. In 1933, Charles was made Municipal Clerk, a post he held until he retired in 1959. Charles has also been credited with playing a significant role in administering the city while it was under the rule of the provincial commission from 1932-1942. Recognized for his expertise in civic affairs, Charles was appointed by the provincial government to a committee formed to review and revise the Municipal Act. He was also a member of the BC Municipal Officers’ Association from its formation in 1936 and was made its chair in 1953. While these civic duties occupied much of his time, Charles still managed to participate as a volunteer on many sport and youth clubs in the city and served as the secretary for the Kingsway Rotary Club. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Burnaby, both paid and volunteer, Charles was presented with the Gold Key award in 1959, the same year he finally retired from municipal administration. During Charles’ lifetime, many changes took place in the Municipality that he loved. He saw Burnaby grow in population and progress and he could be proud of the significant part he played in that growth and development. Charles Brown died on August 11, 1981.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:58:01
Interviewee Name
Brown, Charles B. "Charlie"
Interview Location
Walker Avenue
Interviewer Bio
Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with Charles B. Brown

Less detail

Interview with Les Francis by Eric Damer October 16, 2012 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory327
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1914-1949
Length
0:09:28
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Les Francis's early years. He begins by mentioning his school days and moves into a detailed account of working with the municipality of Burnaby in the Hall and in the Stores.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Les Francis's early years. He begins by mentioning his school days and moves into a detailed account of working with the municipality of Burnaby in the Hall and in the Stores.
Date Range
1914-1949
Photo Info
Les Francis (far right) receiving a Burnaby Long Service Award at the Gai Paree Supper Club, 1964. Item no. 485-070.
Length
0:09:28
Subjects
Occupations - Civic Workers
Public Services - Public Works
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 16, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Les Francis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 16, 2012. Major theme discussed: the role of the municipal worker in the nineteen-thirties through the war years.
Biographical Notes
Les Francis was born in London, England, in 1914 and came with his family to Burnaby in 1919. Except for a few years away on special projects, Les has lived in Burnaby ever since. After attending Kingsway West Elementary and Burnaby South High Schools, Les joined the municipal work force. He first worked as a clerk in 1930 and later joined the Engineering Department where he spent his career maintaining and extending the municipal water system. Les Francis retired in 1979 as the City of Burnaby's Work's Superintendent.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:43:18
Interviewee Name
Francis, Les
Interview Location
Interviewee's residence
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track one of recording of interview with Les Francis

Less detail

Interview with Les Francis by Eric Damer October 16, 2012 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory328
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1930-1946
Length
0:10:36
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Les Francis's years of working with the municipality of Burnaby, with a focus on waterworks.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Les Francis's years of working with the municipality of Burnaby, with a focus on waterworks.
Date Range
1930-1946
Photo Info
Les Francis (far right) receiving a Burnaby Long Service Award at the Gai Paree Supper Club, 1964. Item no. 485-070.
Length
0:10:36
Subjects
Occupations - Civic Workers
Public Services - Public Works
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 16, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Les Francis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 16, 2012. Major theme discussed: the role of the municipal worker in the nineteen-thirties through the war years.
Biographical Notes
Les Francis was born in London, England, in 1914 and came with his family to Burnaby in 1919. Except for a few years away on special projects, Les has lived in Burnaby ever since. After attending Kingsway West Elementary and Burnaby South High Schools, Les joined the municipal work force. He first worked as a clerk in 1930 and later joined the Engineering Department where he spent his career maintaining and extending the municipal water system. Les Francis retired in 1979 as the City of Burnaby's Work's Superintendent.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:43:18
Interviewee Name
Francis, Les
Interview Location
Interviewee's residence
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track two of recording of interview with Les Francis

Less detail

Interview with Les Francis by Eric Damer October 16, 2012 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory329
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1930-1979
Length
0:10:35
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Les Francis's years of working with the municipality of Burnaby, with a focus on waterworks. Les describes the influence of industry and population on the water system as well as the history of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) Water Board.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Les Francis's years of working with the municipality of Burnaby, with a focus on waterworks. Les describes the influence of industry and population on the water system as well as the history of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) Water Board.
Date Range
1930-1979
Photo Info
Les Francis (far right) receiving a Burnaby Long Service Award at the Gai Paree Supper Club, 1964. Item no. 485-070.
Length
0:10:35
Subjects
Occupations - Civic Workers
Public Services - Public Works
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 16, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Les Francis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 16, 2012. Major theme discussed: the role of the municipal worker in the nineteen-thirties through the war years.
Biographical Notes
Les Francis was born in London, England, in 1914 and came with his family to Burnaby in 1919. Except for a few years away on special projects, Les has lived in Burnaby ever since. After attending Kingsway West Elementary and Burnaby South High Schools, Les joined the municipal work force. He first worked as a clerk in 1930 and later joined the Engineering Department where he spent his career maintaining and extending the municipal water system. Les Francis retired in 1979 as the City of Burnaby's Work's Superintendent.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:43:18
Interviewee Name
Francis, Les
Interview Location
Interviewee's residence
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track three of recording of interview with Les Francis

Less detail

Interview with Ted Burnham by Eric Damer September 19, 2012 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory312
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1930-1956
Length
0:09:50
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Edward Lewis "Ted" Burnham's early memories of growing up in Burnaby. He talks of his brothers going into the service and of his own work history which includes working for the municipality of Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Edward Lewis "Ted" Burnham's early memories of growing up in Burnaby. He talks of his brothers going into the service and of his own work history which includes working for the municipality of Burnaby.
Date Range
1930-1956
Photo Info
Edward Lewis "Ted" Burnham, [195-]. Item no. 549-021.
Length
0:09:50
Subjects
Occupations - Civic Workers
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
September 19, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Edward Lewis "Ted" Burnham conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, September 19, 2012. Major theme discussed: the role of the municipal worker in the nineteen-fifties and nineteen-sixties.
Biographical Notes
E.L. "Ted" Burnham was born in 1930 and grew up in East Burnaby. He attended Armstrong Street and Edmonds Schools and then Trapp Technical High School before beginning work at a range of occupations in the late nineteen-forties. Ted studied business administration at the University of British Columbia and worked from 1953 to about 1958 for the municipality of Burnaby in the engineering and welfare departments, then briefly for Remington-Rand computers, and then at the Hannah Medical Clinic until 1973. After marrying in 1957, Ted and his wife moved from McKay Avenue to Kaymar Drive and raised two daughters. In the ninteen-seventies and later, Ted became involved in municipal politics, the Heritage Village, and in his own real estate and insurance business.
Total Tracks
3
Total Length
0:29:27
Interviewee Name
Burnham, Edward Lewis "Ted"
Interview Location
Burnaby Village Museum
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track one of recording of interview with Ted Burnham

Less detail

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory253
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1903-1940
Length
0:09:46
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's descriptions of road construction in Burnaby, including the names of the settlers and logging companies involved in their construction. Alfred discusses the changes that took place during World War I, along with municipal Relief work that he t…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's descriptions of road construction in Burnaby, including the names of the settlers and logging companies involved in their construction. Alfred discusses the changes that took place during World War I, along with municipal Relief work that he took part in at Burnaby Mountain. Alfred also discusses early schools and mentions his wife, Ada Bingham.
Date Range
1903-1940
Photo Info
Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
Length
0:09:46
Subjects
Construction - Road Construction
Land Clearing
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Mountain Area
Scope and Content
Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Total Tracks
12
Total Length
1:38:06
Interviewee Name
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track three of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

Less detail

Historic photo of Cariboo Road

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13516
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[190-] date of original, copied [198_]
Collection/Fonds
Century Park Museum Association fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w print ; 8.7 x 12.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a historic photograph of an unidentified man standing on a boardwalk on the corner of Cariboo Road in Burnaby. Historic photograph includes a label in the top corner that reads: "Cariboo Rd / Burnaby". The road is made of dirt and a two story house is visible across the road from the …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Century Park Museum Association fonds
Series
Century Park Museum Association photograph collection series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w print ; 8.7 x 12.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a historic photograph of an unidentified man standing on a boardwalk on the corner of Cariboo Road in Burnaby. Historic photograph includes a label in the top corner that reads: "Cariboo Rd / Burnaby". The road is made of dirt and a two story house is visible across the road from the man.
Subjects
Construction - Road Construction
Names
Burnaby Village Museum
Geographic Access
Cariboo Road
Accession Code
BV020.5.860
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[190-] date of original, copied [198_]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
25-Aug-2020
Scale
100
Photographer
Brown, Cice Chandler
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory243
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1892-1911
Length
0:09:58
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of the work that he and his brother did on the roadways; Canada Way, Kingsway. He discusses helping out at the Hatt-Cook residence as a boy as well as the tram system of the time. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husb…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of the work that he and his brother did on the roadways; Canada Way, Kingsway. He discusses helping out at the Hatt-Cook residence as a boy as well as the tram system of the time. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husband with these descriptions.
Date Range
1892-1911
Photo Info
Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
Length
0:09:58
Subjects
Construction - Road Construction
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
Interview Date
November 17, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.
Biographical Notes
Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
0:58:55
Interviewee Name
McMurray, Lillian Wray
McMurray, Murdoch
Interviewer Bio
Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track one of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray

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Fire Department at Fire Hall No. 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35199
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1934 (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby fire department trucks and firefighters, in front of fire hall No. 2. Note the old Burnaby Municipal Hall on the left.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1934 (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Pioneer Tales subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
204-056
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby fire department trucks and firefighters, in front of fire hall No. 2. Note the old Burnaby Municipal Hall on the left.
Subjects
Buildings - Civic - City Halls
Transportation - Fire Trucks
Occupations - Fire Fighters
Buildings - Civic - Fire Halls
Names
Burnaby Fire Department
Burnaby City Hall
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Street Address
7252 Kingsway
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Stride Avenue Area
Images
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Brick Houses under Construction

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64654
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1899 and 1910]
Collection/Fonds
Ernest Winch fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w cabinet card ; 10 x 14.5 cm, mounted on card 10.5 x 16.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of two brick houses under construction on High Street at Epping, Essex, England. These buildings were constructed by Ernest E. Winch.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1899 and 1910]
Collection/Fonds
Ernest Winch fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w cabinet card ; 10 x 14.5 cm, mounted on card 10.5 x 16.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
514-003
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2010-06
Scope and Content
Photograph of two brick houses under construction on High Street at Epping, Essex, England. These buildings were constructed by Ernest E. Winch.
Subjects
Construction
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Construction Tools and Equipment
Occupations - Labourers
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Challoner-Courtenay, E.J.
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
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Great Northern Railroad

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription39518
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1903]
Collection/Fonds
Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 5 x 5 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Scope and Content
Photograph of men working on the Great Northern Railroad line that ran through the Burnaby Lake area by 1904.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1903]
Collection/Fonds
Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
Series
Kitty Hill Peers family photograph series
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 5 x 5 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-837
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of men working on the Great Northern Railroad line that ran through the Burnaby Lake area by 1904.
Subjects
Construction - Railroad Construction
Occupations - Railroad Labourers
Names
Great Northern Railway
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
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Great Northern Railway construction

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38849
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1904]
Collection/Fonds
Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 5.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a work crew working on the Great Northern Railway line that ran along the north shore of Burnaby Lake. The line was built ca. 1904.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1904]
Collection/Fonds
Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
Series
Kitty Hill Peers family photograph series
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 5.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-168
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of a work crew working on the Great Northern Railway line that ran along the north shore of Burnaby Lake. The line was built ca. 1904.
Subjects
Occupations - Railroad Labourers
Construction - Railroad Construction
Transportation - Rail
Names
Great Northern Railway
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
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Firefighters Albert Killer and Fred Blake

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1294
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1939 (date of original)
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 15 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of Firefighters Albert Killer and Fred Blake lying down on their beds and reading (in the dormitory during the night shift) at No. 1 Burnaby Fire Hall at Carleton Avenue and Eton Street. Fire boots (with fire resistant pants gathered over them) are visible at the side of Fred Blake's bed.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 15 cm print
Material Details
.
Scope and Content
Photograph of Firefighters Albert Killer and Fred Blake lying down on their beds and reading (in the dormitory during the night shift) at No. 1 Burnaby Fire Hall at Carleton Avenue and Eton Street. Fire boots (with fire resistant pants gathered over them) are visible at the side of Fred Blake's bed.
Subjects
Occupations - Fire Fighters
Clothing - Uniforms
Buildings - Civic - Fire Halls
Names
Burnaby Fire Department
Blake, Frederick "Fred"
Killer, Albert "Abe"
Geographic Access
Carleton Avenue
Eton Street
Accession Code
BV998.31.3
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1939 (date of original)
Media Type
Photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
02-Jun-09
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Typed sticker on verso of photograph reads: "Night shift at No.1 Hall/ Carleton Ave. and Eton St. (L) Albert Killer (R) Fred Blake 1939"
Address sticker on verso of photograph reads: "MR & MRS F BLAKE 4165 PANDORA ST BURNABY BC V5C 2B2"
Images
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Fireman sitting on the tailgate of a fire truck

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1496
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1939]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 5.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified fireman sitting on the tailgate of (what appears to be) a 1939 Ford fire truck, parked in front of a fire hall. Note the neatly folded fire hose stored at the back of the truck.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 5.5 cm
Material Details
Photograph was likely taken out of an album as there is black paper residue on its recto
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified fireman sitting on the tailgate of (what appears to be) a 1939 Ford fire truck, parked in front of a fire hall. Note the neatly folded fire hose stored at the back of the truck.
Subjects
Occupations - Fire Fighters
Transportation - Fire Trucks
Buildings - Civic - Fire Halls
Accession Code
BV999.55.45
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
[1939]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
09-Jun-09
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Lewis Auvache at Firehall No. 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37490
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1937] (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.0 x 4.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Lewis Auvache seated in a fire truck at Firehall No. 2 located at 1942 Kingsway and Hall Avenue (later renumbered as the 7200 block of Kingsway). There is snow.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1937] (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Image Bank subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.0 x 4.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-078
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of Lewis Auvache seated in a fire truck at Firehall No. 2 located at 1942 Kingsway and Hall Avenue (later renumbered as the 7200 block of Kingsway). There is snow.
Subjects
Natural Phenomena - Snow
Buildings - Civic - Fire Halls
Occupations - Fire Fighters
Names
Auvache, Lewis
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Stride Avenue Area
Images
Less detail

Bellinger family home

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37460
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1936 or 1937] (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Bellinger family home at 2827 Earl Avenue (later 6296 Pearl Avenue), during alteration of the front porch. The workers are unidentified.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1936 or 1937] (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Image Bank subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-048
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Bellinger family home at 2827 Earl Avenue (later 6296 Pearl Avenue), during alteration of the front porch. The workers are unidentified.
Subjects
Construction
Occupations - Labourers
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Bellinger, Bernard
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Photos 370-047 and 370-049 show house before and after renovations
Geographic Access
Pearl Avenue
Street Address
6296 Pearl Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Windsor Area
Images
Less detail

George Pearson

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35178
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[193-?] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of a man identified as George Pearson digging a foundation with a pick and shovel at the Burnaby Municipal Hall site at Kingsway and Edmonds Street. Note the Municipal Hall in the background.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[193-?] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Pioneer Tales subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
204-035
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of a man identified as George Pearson digging a foundation with a pick and shovel at the Burnaby Municipal Hall site at Kingsway and Edmonds Street. Note the Municipal Hall in the background.
Subjects
Construction Tools and Equipment
Occupations - Labourers
Names
Pearson, George
Burnaby City Hall
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Street Address
7282 Kingsway
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Stride Avenue Area
Images
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